Rudder repair

[FrankET]

I discovered that my rudder was turning on the stock. I was wondering if anyone had any Ideas about how the stock is attached to the rudder. Some were I read that a tube was layed up in the rudder and the stock welded to it. Some one else suggested that the stock had bar welded to it and the rudder layed up around that. I don't think the stock goes much more than 6" into the rudder. Do you think it posable to remove the rudder with out pulling the shaft? Anybodies experience with this type of ruddr would be appreciated.

I guess I'm too new to this site to post a photo so I'll try to describe the rudder. It has a large cut-out for the prop. leaving about 6" above said cutout. the rudder attaches to the back bottom of the keel with a dudgeon. The hull has a moderate overhang so the stock goes through a built up section right below the water line.

Thanks for any help.

[bljones]

What make and model is your boat? with that info, we can come up with some informed answers.

[FrankET]

Oh sorry, the boat is a cheoy lee offshore 31

[FrankET]

[xsboats]

The stock will be welded to metalwork that bends around the propellor aperature and the continues further down into the rudder. It will join back up with a lower shaft , which continues down to become the lower pintle. If your rudder shaft is rotating inside of the rudder freely, then the weld is either broken or corroded through.You will need to split the rudder in half to access the metalwork for repair or replacement. I usually use the existing rudder as a plug to fabricate rudder mold halves before the demo work. Most rudders I have rebuilt had significant water intrusion in the core and could not be reused, so I found it better to build the molds before destroying the shape of the rudder.

[FrankET]

What do you use to make the plug? Is it posable to remove some rudder material, repair the weld and build the rudder back up?

[CaptainForce]

Another option, as I once employed, would be to split the old rudder port & starboard; repair the weld & metal interior; and then build the new half upon the half you select to save. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

[zz4gta]

Here's how one person did it on a smaller boat.
Rudder Repair

Google rudder repair, and you can find similar examples.

[xsboats]

FrankET, I removed the bottom paint from the rudder, waxed it and pulled a port and starboard mold off of it. I then layed up cored glass half rudders in the waxed molds, hollowed them for the metalwork, epoxy puttied them together, and then glassed the seams. Oh yeah, there was also a lot of grinding and fairing in there too.

[FrankET]

Thanks for the advice. It looks like I got my work cut out for me.